Day 43 | Bookstore

Prompt: Walk around a bookstore or library and open a random book and select a page. Write down the first sentence of the second paragraph. Now write about whatever came to mind when you read this sentence. If you cannon make it to a bookstore or library use a book from your own bookshelf or eBook collection.

Stephanie | "And oh, how beautiful she was, how wondrous beautiful"   I see a woman who has a natural beauty around her. Not a specific quality but an overall presence, she captivates those around her and people are naturally drawn to her. I see her as being kind and sweet, soft spoken, polite, and friends with everyone she meets.

Annetta | "For years & years I would tell this story to inspire other artists saying, rather cavalierly mind you, that our job is to take truth back into the dark places touting the epic call,

There is more! So much more!" 

That has aways been my heart, bringing light into dark places and sharing the truth.

Day 42 | February Mail Call

We both really loved our Mail Call day we did in January, so we decided to do it once a month.
Prompt:  Send something to each other to add to our journals with a valentines theme.

Annetta | My mail to Stephanie was inspired by valentines day colors plus some pops of blues and purples. It's a very romantic post filled with lots of color inspiration.

Stephanie | I was stuck on hearts, lace and floral prints for Annetta's valentines themed mail this time. I really love preparing a package to mail out, I only wish I had more time to put this package together. 

Day 41 | Bucket List

Prompt: Create a list of experiences you want to have enjoyed in your life. Such as climbed a mountain, attended a party on a yacht, stayed in a 5 star hotel, been an extra in a movie, met your idol, volunteered at a wildlife sanctuary, etc. Ignore any money or logistic limitations; just write down your dream list in no particular order.

Stephanie |  A few things I have on my bucket list include: own a typewriter, kiss under the mistletoe, go for a run in central park, explore the grand canyon, go on a camping trip with all my friends, celebrate my 100th birthday, drink from a coconut, create a secret family recipe, see the statue of liberty, ride a double decker bus, own a piano and learn to play, own a polaroid camera, write a book, kiss on top of a ferris wheel, meet my grandchildren, go on a cruise, model in a pinup photoshoot, have a romantic night picnic, go to a hawaiian luau, have a 50th wedding anniversary, go parasailing, receive a letter each day for 1 year, slow dance in the rain, COMPLETED: ride a horse on the beach (2000), white water rafting (2001), attend a movie premiere (October 2012-Matt's Chance), whale watching (October 5th 2013-Anecortes Wa)

Annetta | Explore Italy for a whole year, have a girl of my own or two, travel America in an Airstream, have a book published,  have m husband speak on the diamond stage, have an orphanage in Russia, attend my oldest and youngest brothers wedding & then become an auntie again, live in Slovakia for a few years, go on a kayaking weekend trip with my husband, give birth naturally, become successful in my career, help change & inspire the lives of women, give my mother-in-law her dream garden including many expensive rose bushes & enjoy my family grow & be with them. These are a few things on my bucket list. My list is long, but these are dearest to my heart.

Day 40 | How Are You

Prompt: How are you?

Stephanie | I am actually pretty good. I feel fairly calm even with some unresolved issues I am trying to deal with involving my mom. I am at a place where these issues don't consume me. I have surrendered to the fact that things will never be fully fixed and a healthy and positive relationship is not a possibility. I am ok with that. I have my own life to worry about now and I am happy making that a priority. I am beginning to find peace in my life and I like it.

Annetta | I am generally good, but tired. I feel like I've been going nonstop since the beginning of the year with work, but now I am starting to feel it. I knew that this was going to be an intense year for me & that I needed to get my rest where I can, but the transition has been slow. Despite it all I still find moment to be a mom & a wife. I find moment to put work aside & go sledding or go for a playdate. I am tired creatively, but am happy as I get to do what I love to do. I am thankful for my family & my wonderful friends.

Day 39 | Sense Of Taste

Prompt: I am grateful for my sense of taste because...

Stephanie | I am grateful for my sense of taste because it allows me to enjoy some of my favorite things. My morning coffee, hot and gooey chocolate chip cookies fresh from the oven, a delicious bowl of clam chowder. I am not a "foodie" or eat fancy meals often but I do take pleasure in a few treats. Sometimes a simple bite of the right food or a sip of wine is all that is needed to calm the soul. 

Annetta | Taste to me is very important as I love to eat good & healthy food. I have a very interesting palette as I love food that is fancy, but in an organic way. I am thankful for m taste as it brings me lots of joy through cups of coffee & tea, dinner dates with my husband & my taste is really a sense I love to enjoy even spoil.

Day 38 | Relive A Memory

Prompt: If you could relive one memory of your life over again, which would you choose and why?

Stephanie |  I would like to relive a moment from when my hubby and I were dating. We lived about 3 hrs apart and only got to see each other on weekends when he wasn't working, and Snoqualmie pass wasn't covered in snow. We only knew each other for 6 months before getting married, and right after he was deployed to Iraq for a year. Once home we started having kids and so date nights are scarce, we haven't really had much 'us' time since we've been together. I want to relive a weekend when it was just us, a weekend we spent in Seattle in February 2007. We explored the city, went to the top of the Space Needle, walked Pikes Place Market, did the Underground Tour. Just the two of us, ending the night with a long kiss on the cold Seattle rain.

Annetta | I would love to relive my wedding day. My wedding was gorgeous, but I let that day slipt by without soaking the moment in. I would love to go back and look into my husbands eyes and whisper into his ear how blessed I was to call him mine. That day went by too fast! At the time I knew I was blessed, but not like I know it now.

Day 37 | Autobiography

Prompt: What would the name of your autobiography be and why? Title each chapter with a brief description.

Stephanie | Finne Stephanie (Finding Stephanie) 1. Life Unexpected: born and abandoned 2. Randy's Rampage: cause of divorce and abuse 3. New Beginnings: starting over after divorce 4. Replaced: mom's new lover and birth of favorite child 5. Kicked Out: the beginning of the end 6. Letting Go: living for myself

Annetta | To my surprise this was an easy entry for me as my titles for the autobiography and charters came to me without thought. The title of my book would be called : "Not All Things Are Lost" 1. Little Princess 2. Stolen Childhood 3. The Ugly Duckling 4. Covered By His Grace 5. The Best & Blessed Life